‘Cirque Italia’ to present multiple shows in Cape Coral

March 6, 2014

A European traveling water circus, Cirque Italia, will stop in Cape Coral for two weekends this month, featuring a vivid and dramatic experience for attendees of all ages.

Cirque Italia owner Manuel Rebecchi was born and raised in Milan, Italy. To preserve his family's traditional European style circus, Moira Orfei Circus, he crafted a new brand, Cirque Italia, and brought it to North America in August 2012.

Chante' DeMoustes, Cirque Italia producer and chief operating officer, said Rebecchi was inspired by the European concept of the circus, which is more of a black tie affair.

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A European traveling water circus, Cirque Italia, will stop in Cape Coral for two weekends this month, featuring a vivid and dramatic experience for attendees of all ages.

A European traveling water circus, Cirque Italia, will stop in Cape Coral for two weekends this month, featuring a vivid and dramatic experience for attendees of all ages.

"He brought Europe here," she said adding that attendees have an opportunity to experience the feeling of a show that travels to smaller towns. "They don't have to go to Vegas or New York to experience those types of shows. We are bringing them to their backyard at a fraction of the cost."

DeMoustes said although they have traveled all over the United States for two seasons, this is the first time Cirque Italia will stop in Cape Coral.

DeMoustes said the show is two hours long with a 15-minute intermission between the first and second half of the performance.

The 35,000-gallon-water stage, which was custom designed in Italy, is located in the center of the white and blue tent. The 40-foot Broadway, circular-style stage, is 4 feet high with a stage lid that lifts 35-feet up in the air during the show as rain descends and a fountain dances with each performance move.

"Water is the aspect of our stage," she said. "We have this stage and the water falls from the top of the tent to the bottom of the tent inside a pool of water."

Delena Fusco, a sixth generation circus performer from Argentina, does an aerial act.

"I'm the mermaid of the show and I also do a traditional act from Argentina," she said.

During her performance, she is located on top of the water. She said the stage opens up and it rains water.

"It's not a job, it's my life," Delena said. "I have been doing this since I was 3 years old. We came to the United States 10 years ago performing the circus. I wouldn't change it for the world."

Emiliano Fusco does a juggling act with his brother. He said they do lots of difficult tricks, such as juggling with fire and balancing objects on their head.

His brother Maximiliano set the Guinness Book of World Record for juggling five clubs for 57 minutes.

"We have performers from all over the world," Emiliano said. "It's fun for the whole family."

DeMoustes said her favorite part is watching people's faces after the show.

"When they come, they don't know what to expect," she said of the intimate, theatrical feel the performance provides.

DeMoustes said the individual acts have their own unique story line, which is not hard to understand once the performance is complete. There is also a humorous act where the performers go in the water.

"There is an act for every age," she said. "It's really for all ages."

Tickets range from $10 to $50 depending on which level is purchased. Free children tickets are provided for youngsters 12 years old and younger. The special is given with every regular full price adult admission ticket for levels two and three only.

"Manuel didn't want the price point to be $100 a ticket," DeMoustes said. "He wanted every age to be able to enjoy the show."